Measurement data collection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A measurement data collection apparatus includes at least a collection/analysis processing device having a measuring instrument interface for converting measurement data input from a measuring instrument into data of a form corresponding to measurement contents, and a measurement data collection interface for converting the data of the form corresponding to the measurement contents into measurement data of a predetermined form. The apparatus can process the results obtained from the measurement as electronic data irrespective of the measurement contents or a kind of the measuring instrument and can perform form printing or data processing such as arithmetic operations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.10/286,429, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,158, filed Nov. 1, 2002 which claimspriority to Japanese Application No. 2002-073750 filed Mar. 18, 2002,all of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to apparatuses for collectingmeasurement data and, more particularly, to control and analysis ofmeasured data adaptable to different kinds of measuring instruments.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various kinds of controls such as product control and process controlare performed when producing goods. The product control will beconsidered below. In order to control the quality of products and so onand to ensure that products are stably manufactured, it is necessary toperiodically measure produced parts and finished products, as well asproduction equipment such as manufacturing equipment and dies, to checkwhether the manufactured parts comply with the specifications.

Inspection is performed to measure the size, precision, and so on of thegoods and check whether they comply with the specifications or whetherthey exhibit an abnormal appearance. Generally, a measurer fills inpredetermined positions in a predetermined form with measurement resultsobtained. Then, a manager, a schedule controller, or the like (oneperson may play both these roles) performs an analysis based on the formto carry out the maintenance and the like of the production equipmentand measuring instruments.

Assisting apparatuses have been proposed for processing, for example,the measurement results input for the purpose of assisting suchmeasuring jobs. The assisting apparatuses are designed to storemeasurement results collected (hereinafter, referred to as measurementdata) in storage means within a collection apparatus or outside thereof.

In these assisting apparatuses, for example, measurement information forproviding the measurer with measurement instructions is based on ameasurement descriptor table, in which records describing objects to bemeasured, measurement locations, required measurement data, and kinds ofmeasuring instruments used are arranged, and a control table havingcommand extraction tables provided for each kind of measuringinstrument. The control table is created by rearranging the records inthe measurement descriptor table in order of measurement action and byautomatically extracting them into one or a plurality of records thatinclude commands corresponding to each element in the measurementdescriptor table and to the measuring instruments used, and instructioninformation for the measurer. The assisting apparatuses giveinstructions to the measurer in accordance with the contents of thecontrol table. The measurement data is collected by activating means forgiving commands to the measuring instruments used in accordance with thecontents of the control table and means for storing in order ofmeasurement the data measured based on the given commands.

However, in the assisting apparatuses described above, the measuringinstruments that can directly transmit and receive data signals to andfrom the apparatus are limited to the ones that can output signalsincluding digital data based on command instructions. For the measuringinstruments without such a function being used, for example, when anappearance test is performed, the measurer fills in a form of a papermedium with the measurement results and later inputs them as data into ahost computer and so on. Therefore, such a system that prevents carelessmistakes relating to the measurement such as entry errors, missingentries, and measurement errors (mixing up of the measuring instruments)has not yet been established. Also, it is hard to keep track of thestatus of measurement jobs. Worse still, the measurement data can onlybe input from the measuring instruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide ameasurement data collection apparatus capable of solving theabove-mentioned problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a measurement datacollection apparatus includes collection/analysis processing meanshaving at least a measuring instrument interface for convertingmeasurement data input from a measuring instrument into data having aform corresponding to measurement contents. The apparatus canaccommodate the difference in data form to collect measurement resultsas electronic (for example, magnetic) data, irrespective of themeasurement contents, including data input such as the results obtainedby a appearance check, or the kind of measuring instrument differing inoutput (digital or analog) or presence of commands (instructions).Therefore, it is also possible to quickly and easily perform formprinting based on the collected data and data processing by arithmeticoperations and so on.

Preferably, the measurement data collection apparatus has thecollection/analysis processing means further including a measurementdata collection interface for converting the data having the formcorresponding to the measurement contents into measurement data having apredetermined form. The apparatus can accommodate the difference in dataform to collect the measurement results as electronic (for example,magnetic) data in a common form irrespective of the measurementcontents. Therefore, it is also possible to quickly and easily performthe form printing based on the collected data and data processing byarithmetic operations and so on.

The collection/analysis processing means in the measurement datacollection apparatus may send a signal giving an instruction to themeasuring instrument in accordance with a form that is processible bythe measuring instrument. Accordingly, it is possible to giveinstructions to control the measuring instrument.

Preferably, the collection/analysis processing means in the measurementdata collection apparatus is provided for each of the measurementcontents and each kind of the measuring instrument. The measurement datacollection apparatus may further include control processing means foridentifying the measurement contents and the kind of a designatedmeasuring instrument based on measuring instrument data on itemsrelating to the measuring instrument and for determining thecollection/analysis processing means to be employed in processing.Accordingly, only identification of the measuring instrument can causethe control processing means to dynamically determine thecollection/analysis processing means, which can perform the processing.

Preferably, the measuring instrument data for identifying the measuringinstrument is provided for each measuring instrument in the measurementdata collection apparatus. The measuring instrument data may correlatewith the measurement data measured by the measuring instrument.Therefore, it is also possible to analyze the stored data in a timeseries manner to understand the trend in characteristics of themeasuring instrument and so on.

The measurement data that is processed by the collection/analysisprocessing means of the measurement data collection apparatus may bebinary data. Accordingly, it is also possible to address the data suchas OK or NG independently of the data form.

The measurement data collection apparatus further may include inputmeans for inputting the measurement data. Accordingly, the operator caninput the data such as numerical values, OK, or NG, which can beprocessed.

The measurement data collection apparatus further may include arecording medium for storing the measurement data. Therefore, the datacan be read from the recording medium, etc., not only when actuallyperforming the measurement, but also after finishing the measurement.

The measuring instrument interface in the measurement data collectionapparatus preferably controls the associated measuring instrument basedon data for controlling the associated measuring instrument.Accordingly, it is possible to give instructions to the measuringinstrument to control it.

The measuring instrument interface in the measurement data collectionapparatus preferably converts the measurement data differing betweenkinds of the measuring instrument into data having a predetermined formfor each of the measurement contents. Accordingly, it is possible tounify the data form independently of the measuring instrument.

The collection/analysis processing means in the measurement datacollection apparatus may send a signal for activating objects to bemeasured. Therefore, functional measurement of the objects to bemeasured can be performed by causing the objects to carry out patternedactions by the signal.

The measuring instrument data of the measurement data collectionapparatus preferably includes data on a calibration date of themeasuring instrument. Therefore, it is possible to obtain effective datashowing the preciseness of the measurement, thus guaranteeing thequality of the objects to be measured. Also, the data thus obtained canprovide reference information about the inspection time for themeasuring instrument and so on.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become clear from the following description of thepreferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurementdata collection apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration centering on a datacollecting/analyzing unit ID of data processing means;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the entire process for collectingmeasurement data;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationships between differentkinds of measuring instruments 3 and the data collecting/analyzing unitID;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument involving size measurement centering on the datacollecting/analyzing unit ID;

FIG. 6 is a table showing measuring instrument data stored in storagemeans 14;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument, centering on the data collecting/analyzing unitID, involving action measurement for assembly parts (assembling parts);

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions forprocessing the measurement data recorded on a recording medium centeringon the data collecting/analyzing unit ID; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument 3 that is not required to send the collectionsignals centering on the data collecting/analyzing unit ID.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurementdata collection apparatus according to the embodiments of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, data processing means 1 includes acontrol processing unit 1A, a data access processing unit 1B, a dataarithmetic processing unit 1C, a data collecting/analyzing unit 1D, adisplay processing unit 1E, and a primary storage unit 1F. The controlprocessing unit 1A controls data communication among the units withinthe data processing means 1. It also makes a processing determinationbased on input data and outputs the data obtained as a result to theother units. The data access processing unit 1B performs processingrequired for data communication with the other means or units. Forexample, it performs the processing to create data for requiring andinstructing a database system outside of the apparatus (not shown)(hereinafter, referred to as DB system) to store the measurement datacollected, or it performs the processing to send this data. Also, thedata access processing unit 1B performs the processing to create or sendthe data for requiring and instructing the reading of various data fromthe DB system. Further, it performs the processing to read all or partof various data stored in storage means 4 during measurement or to storethe data in the storage means 4. The data arithmetic processing unit 1Ccarries out its operations based on the measurement data, such ascalculating the allowance or calculating a circumference based on thecoordinates of three points on the circumference, to calculate the newmeasurement data. It also carries out the operations based on thenumerical values, operators, functions, and so on input by an operator.The data collecting/analyzing unit 1D processes measurement signals tocollect measurement data or groups of measurement data contained in themeasurement signals. It also sends collection signals based on theinstruction of the control processing unit 1A to a measuring instrument3 to cause the measuring instrument 3 to perform measuring actions.Since the measurement signals and the collection signals here varydepending on the kind of the measuring instrument 3, a different kind ofdata collecting/analyzing unit 1D is used in accordance with the kind ofthe measuring instrument 3. Because different kinds of the datacollecting/analyzing units 1D are provided independently of each other,one kind of data collecting/analyzing unit 1D can be added to or removedfrom the apparatus. Identification of the measuring instrument 3 usedfor the measurement and determination of the kind of the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D are performed by the control processingunit 1A. The control processing unit 1A identifies the measuringinstrument 3 determined by the operator (measurer) based on the signalsinput as input signals from input means 2. It then determines the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D based on measuring instrument dataincluding code data, proper name data, data for the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D, calibration date data, and so on. Thedisplay processing unit 1E creates and sends display signals to causedisplay means 5 to perform displaying. The primary storage unit 1F isprovided for temporarily storing various data to be processed or thathas been already processed by each of the units.

The input means 2 includes a pointing device, such as a mouse, and akeyboard. It converts the data input by the operator into the inputsignals and sends it to the data processing means 1. In some cases, itperforms the same function as interface means 6, that is, it sends theinput signals containing the measurement data as the measurementsignals. In such a case, the input means 2 acts as means for inputtingthe measurement data as with the measuring instrument 3. The measuringinstrument 3 sends the measurement signals based on measured magnitude(physical quantity). Here, the measuring instrument 3 includes, forexample, both the instrument for measuring the sizes or weights ofobjects to be measured such as a digital caliper, a three-dimensionalmeasuring instrument, or a micrometer microscope, and the instrument formeasuring a physical quantity such as temperature of those other thanthe objects to be measured, for example, the surrounding environment(processing condition, processing environment). Further, the measuringmeans 3 includes instruments such as a camera for sending image data assignals. The measurement signals sent by the measuring instrument 3 herecan be any kind of signals such as analog signals or digital signals. Aplurality of measuring instruments 3 may be connected to the apparatus.

The storage means 4 is a so-called secondary storage, which is means forstoring the data to be processed by the data processing means 1. It mayalso serve as storage means for storing the measurement data in somecases. The display means 5 is implemented by means such as a CRT(Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). It performsdisplaying based on the display signals sent from the data processingmeans 1. The interface means 6 converts various measurement signals sentfrom the measuring instrument 3 into the measurement signals in such aform that can be processed by the data processing means 1. Therefore,the measuring instrument 3 which can send the measurement signals insuch a form that can be processed by the data processing means 1 withoutthe interface means 6 requires no interface means 6. Specifically,interfaces such as an RS-232C for converting serial signals, aCentronics interface for converting parallel signals, or a GP-IB serveas the interface means 6. Also, the interface means 6 also includes datareading means (for example, FDD or CD-ROM drive) that reads the datarecorded on, for example, a recording medium such as FD or CD and sendsit as the signals in such a form that can be processed by the dataprocessing means 1. Data transmitting/receiving means 7, which isimplemented by, for example, a modem, is means for communicating thesignals, or the data, with other apparatuses via a network. Here, thedata transmitting/receiving means 7 mainly serves as an interface whenit stores various data in the DB system or when the data processingmeans 1 reads the data stored in the DB system for use.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration centering on thedata collecting/analyzing unit 1D of the data processing means 1. Thedata collecting/analyzing unit 1D includes a measurement data collectioninterface 1D-1 and a measuring instrument interface 1D-2. Themeasurement data collection interface 1D-1 serves as the interfacebetween the control processing unit 1A and the measuring instrumentinterface 1D-2. It processes the measurement data, which is processed bythe measuring instrument interface 1D-2, in accordance with measurementcontents and converts it into measurement data in a predetermined formthat can be processed by the control processing unit 1A and so on. Themeasurement data collection interface 1D-1 also causes the measuringinstrument interface 1D-2 to process instructions (control commands)sent from the control processing unit 1A. The measuring instrumentinterface 1D-2 performs the processing to create command data forinstructing the measuring instrument 3 when receiving the instructionsfrom the control processing unit 1A via the measurement data collectioninterface 1D-1, and sends it to the measuring instrument 3 as thecollection signals. The command data includes, for example,initialization command data for initializing the measuring instrument 3,data collection command data for requesting the measuring instrument 3to send the measurement data, and termination command data for causingthe measuring instrument 3 to terminate the measurement. Then, when theobjects to be measured operate based on activation signals, themeasuring instrument interface 1D-2 sends control signals for activatingthe objects to be measured to a signal generator (not shown) in order toinspect the actions of the objects. The signal generator sends theactivation signals based on the sent signals to the measured objects tocause the objects to perform patterned actions. The measuring instrumentinterface 1D-2 also analyzes (protocol analysis) the measurement dataincluded in the sent measurement signals, and converts it into themeasurement data that can be processed by the measurement datacollection interface 1D-1 independently from any kind of the measuringinstrument 3.

Heretofore, measuring instruments capable of collecting data have beenlimited to the measuring instruments that can send signals which can beprocessed by means corresponding to the data processing means 1.Accordingly, in the measurement data collection apparatus according tothe embodiments of the present invention, the interface means 6 and thedata collecting/analyzing unit 1D appropriate for different kinds ofmeasuring instruments 3 (including the input means 2) are provided. Theinterface means 6 converts the signals into the measurement signals insuch a form that can be processed by the data processing means 1. Then,the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D determined by the controlprocessing unit 1A in accordance with the kind of the measuringinstrument 3 analyzes the measurement signals and processes them forconversion. After that, it stores all of the measurement data measuredby different kinds of measuring instruments 3 as electronic data(including data that can be recorded in similar forms such as magneticform) to enable them to be processed. Therefore, not only data such asnumerical data, but also binary data such as OK/NG can be stored and soon as the measurement data. Here, the measuring instruments 3 of thesame kind may be used depending on the type of the measurement. Sinceeach of the measuring instruments 3, even when they are of the samekind, has different characteristics, each measuring instrument 3 iscontrolled separately regardless of the kind. However, with respect tothe measuring instruments 3 of the same kind, the same datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D can be used for processing. When thecollection signals including control command data are sent to themeasuring instrument 3, the corresponding data collecting/analyzing unit1D also sends the collection signals including the data in such formsthat different kinds of measuring instruments 3 can process, based onthe instructions from the control processing units 1A. Further, the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D can send the control signals including thedata for patterned actions to cause the objects to be measured toperform the patterned actions, when inspecting the actions of theobjects to be measured in response to the instructions from the controlprocessing unit 1A. Also, when it controls each measuring instrument 3,it also manages the data relating to the date when the measuringinstrument 3 is calibrated to guarantee the product quality. Each unitincluded in the data processing means 1 can be configured as hardware(including a firmware), that is, can be configured as independent means,not as a part of the data processing means 1. However, when configuringthe apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, thedata processing means 1 in a data processing device is implemented byarithmetic and control means (a computer) having, for example, a CPU(Central Processing Unit) as a central unit, and the processingprocedure of each unit is programmed in advance (configured assoftware). The above-mentioned function is realized by the arithmeticand control means, which executes the program and performs theprocessing based on the program. In such a case, the data communicationamong the units in the data processing means 1 described above isinternally processed within the data processing means 1. Although eachof the means is illustrated and described separately, it may beintegrally configured.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the entire process for collecting themeasurement data. The action for collecting the measurement datacentering on the data processing means 1 will be described here. Thedescription will be made of the measuring instrument 3 acting based oncontrol command signals. At first, the operator (measurer) determinesthe measuring instrument 3 used for the measurement, and inputs the nameof the measuring instrument 3 using the input means 2 or selects it fromvarious options. The control processing unit 1A identifies the measuringinstrument 3 used for the measurement based on the input by the operator(S1). Next, the control processing unit 1A determines the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D in accordance with the identified measuringinstrument 3 (S2). The control processing unit 1A then instructs thedetermined data collecting/analyzing unit 1D to send the collectionsignals including the initialization command data appropriate for themeasuring instrument 3 (S3). After a predetermined period of time orwhen the instructions are provided from the operator via the input means2, the control processing unit 1A causes the data collecting/analyzingunit 1D to send the collection signals including collection command dataappropriate for the measuring instrument 3 (S4). The datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D processes the measurement data included inthe measurement signals sent from the measuring instrument 3 (S5). Thecontrol processing unit 1A temporarily stores the measurement dataprocessed by the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D in the primarystorage unit 1F (S6). The data arithmetic processing unit 1C performsthe operations based on the measurement data stored in the primarystorage unit 1F, and performs the processing to create the newmeasurement data in accordance with the operations (S7). The measurementdata thus collected or operated and thus created and processed is storedin, for example, the DB system (S8). The control processing unit 1Acauses the determined data collecting/analyzing unit 1D to send thecollection signals including the termination command data appropriatefor the measuring instrument 3 (S9). Then, it terminates the sending ofthe measurement signals from the measuring instrument 3 (S10) andterminates the receiving of the input from the interface means 6 (S11).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationships between differentkinds of measuring instruments 3 and the data collecting/analyzing unit1D. Examples of items to be measured are shown in FIG. 4. Differentkinds of measurement data collection interfaces 1D-1 are used inaccordance with the measurement contents (the kind of measurement).Also, different kinds of measuring instrument interfaces 1D-2 are usedin accordance with the kinds of the measuring instrument 3 and theinterface means 6.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument 3 involving size measurement centering on the datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D. The actions in some relationships will bedescribed among those shown in FIG. 4. The interface means 6 is omittedin FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 9 for clarity. First, the measuring instrument 3involved in the size measurement will be described (the measuringinstrument 3 involved in the size measurement is referred to as ameasuring instrument 3A here). The data such as the object names to bemeasured, the code of the measuring instrument 3A used, and themeasurer's name is input by the measurer (operator). The time ofmeasurement and so on are also input at this time. The data, which issent and included in the input signals, is processed by the controlprocessing unit 1A. The control processing unit 1A then identifies themeasuring instrument 3A input by the measurer based on the data of themeasuring instrument name (S51). Here, it is assumed that a measuringinstrument 3A-1 is input.

FIG. 6 is a table showing the measuring instrument data stored in thestorage means 4. The data on items including types (measurement typessuch as digital caliper and metallograph, or signal modes) andcharacteristics with respect to each measuring instrument is called themeasuring instrument data. Here, all of the measuring instrument datamay be stored in the DB system. However, among measuring instrumentdata, the data concerning at least the codes, the measuring instrumentnames, the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D used in the measurement,and the calibration date is also stored in the storage means 4 of thedata processing device in the embodiments of the present invention.

The control processing unit 1A dynamically determines the correspondingdata collecting/analyzing unit 1D (AACtrl is used here) based on theidentified measuring instrument (the measuring instrument 3A-1) (whenconfigured as software, it executes the corresponding programs) to allowthe data collecting/analyzing unit 1D to run (S52).

The measuring instrument interface 1D-2 of the determined datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D performs the processing to create theinitialization command data in response to the instructions by thecontrol commands from the control processing unit 1A, and sends it asthe collection signals to the measuring instrument 3A (S53). However,step S53 is omitted when no initialization is required.

When the measuring instrument 3A-1 can send the measurement signals, themeasurer performs the measurement using the measuring instrument 3A-1(S54). The measurement data (size) is temporarily stored in themeasuring instrument 3A-1. When the measurement is finished, themeasurer inputs the instructions for collecting data using the inputmeans 2. The control processing unit 1A processes the input signals sentfrom the measurer. When the measuring instrument interface 1D-2 receivesthe instructions from the control processing unit 1A based on theprocessed input signals, it performs the processing to create the datacollection command data (size) in accordance with the measuringinstrument 3A (the measuring instrument 3A-1), and sends it as thecollection signals (S55).

The measuring instrument 3A-1 sends the measurement signals containingthe measurement data (size) based on the data collection command data(size) included in the collection signals. The measuring instrumentinterface 1D-2 analyzes the measurement data (size) included in themeasurement signals sent from the measuring instrument 3A-1 (in somecases, through the interface means 6), and converts it into the dataformat that the other units can process (S56).

The collection process in accordance with the measurement contents isperformed on the converted measurement data in the measurement datacollection interface 1D-1 (S57). Further, the relevant processes toother data (for example, the measurement data concerning the surroundingenvironment, the measuring instrument data of the measuring instrument3A-1, and so on) are performed in the control processing unit 1A.Depending on the cases, the data arithmetic processing unit 1C mayperform the operations to create the new measurement data. Based on theprocessed results, the display processing unit 1E creates the displaysignals, which are displayed on the display means 5 in order to be shownto the measurer.

When the processes described above are finished, the data accessprocessing unit 1B creates the instruction data for storing the data inthe DB system and sends it as the signals. It then sends the processeddata as the signals and stores it in the DB system. Here, the data canbe stored in the storage means 4 (S58).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument 3, centering on the data collecting/analyzing unit1D, involved in the parts measurement for assembly parts (assemblingparts). The description will be made of measuring the assembly parts(the measuring instrument 3 involved in the parts measurement isreferred to as a measuring instrument 3B). Because steps S61 to S63 areprocessed in the same manner as for the measuring instrument 3Ainvolving the size measurement described above, their description willbe omitted here.

The measuring instrument interface 1D-2 of the determined datacollecting/analyzing unit 1D (BBCtrl is used here) performs theprocessing to create the command data for activating the signalgenerator in response to the instructions from the control processingunit 1A. The measuring instrument interface 1D-2 sends the controlsignals (parts action) to the signal generator based on the command data(S64), and causes the objects to be measured to perform the patternedactions (S65). The measurer carries out the measurement using themeasuring instrument 3B based on the actions (S66). The measurement data(parts action) is temporarily stored in the measuring instrument 3B.When the measurement is finished, the measurer inputs the instructionsfor collecting the data using the input means 2. The control processingunit 1A processes the input signals sent from the measurer. Themeasuring instrument interface 1D-2 performs the processing to createthe collection command data (parts action) in response to theinstructions from the control processing unit 1A. It then converts thecollection command data (parts action) into the data appropriate for thekind of the measuring instrument 3B, and sends it as the collectionsignals (S67). Because the subsequent steps S68 to S70 are processed inthe same manner as steps S56 to S58 of the measuring instrument 3Ainvolving the size measurement described above, their description willbe omitted here.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions forprocessing the measurement data recorded on the recording mediumcentering on the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D. The description willbe made of processing the measurement data recorded on the recordingmedium (the measuring instrument 3 for recording the measurement data onthe recording medium is referred as to a measuring instrument 3C).Because steps S81 and S82 are processed in the same manner as steps S51and S52 of the measuring instrument 3A involving the size measurementdescribed above, their description will be omitted here.

The measurer performs the measurement using the measuring instrument 3C(S83). It then records the measurement data by the measuring instrument3C on the recording medium such as a FD (S84). Since this job isexecuted separately from the actions of the apparatus, it may not benecessarily performed after steps S81 and S82.

The operator for operating the data processing means 1 (regardless ofbeing the measurer) sets the recording medium so as to cause datareading means serving as the interface means 6 to read the measurementdata by the measuring instrument 3C. The control processing unit 1Aidentifies the instructions from the operator included in the inputsignals from the input means 2, and causes the data reading means toread the measurement data recorded on the recording medium and to sendit to the data processing means 1 as the signals (S85).

The measuring instrument interface 1D-2 analyzes the measurement dataincluded in the signals from the data reading means and converts it intothe data format that the other units can process (S86). The convertedmeasurement data is processed in accordance with the measurementcontents in the measurement data collection interface 1D-1 (S87).Further, the relevant processes to other data (for example, themeasurement data concerning the surrounding environment, the measuringinstrument data of the measuring instrument 3C, and so on) are performedin the control processing unit 1A. Depending on the cases, the dataarithmetic processing unit 1C may perform the operations to create thenew measurement data. Based on the processed results, the displayprocessing unit 1E creates the display signals, which are displayed onthe display means 5 in order to be shown to the operator.

When the processes described above are finished, the data accessprocessing unit 1B creates the instruction data for storing the data inthe DB system and sends it as the signals. It then sends the processeddata as the signals and stores it in the DB system. Here, the data canbe stored in the storage means 4 (S88).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the process of the actions of themeasuring instrument 3, that is not required to send the collectionsignals, centering on the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D. Themeasuring instrument 3 that is not required to send the collectionsignals is referred to as a measuring instrument 3D. Because steps S91and S92 are processed in the same manner as steps S51 and S52 of themeasuring instrument 3A involving the size measurement described above,their description will be omitted here.

The measurement data collection interface 1D-1 and the measuringinstrument interface 1D-2 of the determined data collecting/analyzingunit 1D (DDCtr1 is used here) enter a waiting state for the measurementsignals in response to the instructions from the control processing unit1A.

The measurer performs the measurement using the measuring instrument 3D(S93). When the measurement signals are sent from the measuringinstrument 3D (S94), the measuring instrument interface 1D-2 analyzesthe measurement data included in the measurement signals sent from themeasuring instrument 3D (in some cases, through the interface means 6),and converts it into the data format that the other units can process(S95).

The converted measurement data is processed in accordance with themeasurement contents, in the measurement data collection interface 1D-1(S96). Further, the relevant processes to other data (for example, themeasurement data concerning the surrounding environment, the measuringinstrument data of the measuring instrument 3D, and so on) are performedin the control processing unit 1A. Depending on the cases, the dataarithmetic processing unit 1C may perform the operations to create thenew measurement data. Based on the processed results, the displayprocessing unit 1E creates the display signals, which are displayed onthe display means 5 in order to be shown to the measurer.

When the processes described above are finished, the data accessprocessing unit 1B creates the instruction data for storing the data inthe DB system and sends it as the signals. It then sends the processeddata as the signals and stores it in the DB system. Here, the data canbe stored in the storage means 4 (S97).

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, asdescribed above, the control processing unit 1A dynamically determinesthe data collecting/analyzing unit 1D to run, which is provided in thedifferent kinds of the measuring instrument 3, based on the instructionsfrom the measuring instrument 3 by the measurer, and differentmeasurement signals are processed depending on the kinds of themeasuring instrument 3. Accordingly, the measurement data havingdifferent formats can be stored as electrical data irrespective of thekind of the measuring instrument 3 or the measurement contents. Also,the measurement data can be input not only from the measuring instrument3, but also from the input means 2 such as a keyboard. Further, the datarecorded on the recording medium can be input. Therefore, all of themeasurement data can be stored as the electrical data with no intervalsand it is also possible to perform form printing. Because sending thecontrol signals from the data collecting/analyzing unit 1D can cause theobjects to be measured to perform the patterned actions, which can bechecked and can be made the measurement data, the action checks of theassembly parts such as an ink discharge test of inkjet heads can beeasily performed. The same data collecting/analyzing unit 1D can be usedfor the measuring instruments 3 of the same kind even if they havedifferent measuring instrument data respectively. Further, each of themeasuring instruments 3 has the data on its calibration date as themeasuring instrument data, thus being assured that products of highquality can be achieved.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-073750filed Mar. 18, 2002 is incorporated by reference.

1. A method of collecting measurement data comprising steps of:converting measurement data input from a measuring instrument having aform corresponding to the measuring instrument into data having a formcorresponding to measurement contents and kinds of measurement;converting input control command data into control data corresponding tothe measuring instrument to control the measuring instrument; andsending the control data to the measuring instrument to performcollection/analysis processing of measurement data of the measuringinstrument.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecollection/analysis processing sends a signal for giving an instructionto the measuring instrument in accordance with a form that isprocessible by the measuring instrument.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the collection/analysis processing is provided for eachof the measurement contents or measuring instruments respectively; andwherein the method further comprising steps of: identifying themeasurement contents and the kind of a designated measuring instrumentbased on measuring instrument data on items relating to the measuringinstruments; and determining a collection/analysis processing to beemployed of each collection/analysis processing.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein the method further comprising a step of; correlatingthe measurement data measured by the measuring instrument with measuringinstrument data for identifying the measuring instrument provided foreach measuring instrument.
 5. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe measuring instrument data includes data on a calibration data of themeasuring instrument.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecollection/analysis processing processes binary data.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the collection/analysis processingprocesses measurement data input by input means.
 8. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the collection/analysis processing processesmeasurement data stored in a recording medium.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the method further comprising a step of sending asignal for activating an object to be measured.